Glory of Gita

Gita Jayanti – What it means to us?

The Gita as Nectarine drink

Vaikuntha Ekadashi on 17 December 2010

All over the globe the Hindus celebrate ‘Gita Jayanti’ on the 11th day (Ekadashi) of the bright fortnight (shukla paksha) of the month of Agrahayana (December – January). This month is also referred to as ‘Margashirsha’. Of the twelve months, Sri Krishna says in the Gita that He is Margasirsha. (X.35) It is seen that people generally attribute this day as the “Birthday of the Bhagavad Gita”. Well, can there be a birthday i.e., beginning for Divine Wisdom? As God is eternal (nitya) His knowledge is also ever present (sashwat). One cannot really say that the Song Divine has a birthday.

Ancient Muni Veda Vyasji

Actually, Gita Jayanti is the anniversary of the day, nearly 5000 years ago, when Bhagwan Shri Krishna spoke rather ‘sung’ to Arjuna, on the battlefield in Kurukshetra. Sanjaya, the Minister, recited those words for the blind King Dhritarashtra. When writing Mahabharata, this Divine Song was ‘threaded into’ the great epic by ancient Maharishi Veda Vyasji for the benefit of humanity. (vyasena grathitaam puraana muninaa madhye mahaabhaaratam – First verse of Gita Dhyanam)

But it is nowhere to be considered as an ‘interpolation’ as some misguided modern scholars opine. The internal evidence shows that there is homogeneity running all through language, diction and development of the subject ‘Brahma-vidya’ – the knowledge of Brahman, the Supreme. The entire story of Mahabharata, when condensed into philosophy becomes Gita. What the heart is to the human body, the Gita is to this Great Epic, says Swami Chidbhavanandaji in his English Translation of the Gita.

Swami Vivekananda

What is Bhagavad Gita? As the great ‘cyclonic monk of India’ Swami Vivekananda has once said in the West, ‘Everything goes to show that this Vedanta philosophy must be very practical; and later on, when we come to the Bhagavad-Gita…..it is the best commentary we have on the Vedanta philosophy — curiously enough the scene is laid on the battlefield, where Krishna teaches this philosophy to Arjuna; and the doctrine which stands out luminously in every page of the Gita is intense activity, but in the midst of it, eternal calmness. This is the secret of work, to attain which is the goal of the Vedanta.’

“Bhagavad Gita” literally means Song of God or rather Song of the Spirit. Since it is a Divine Song, the language of the original lyrics and the religion of the original singer do not have much relevance. For once, it has been ‘sung’ and written down to posterity, the song itself gets life, travelling across oceans and mountains, breaking all barriers of caste, creed and nationality. Such is the influence of a divine song. However, as Bhagwan Shri Krishna, Himself being the original ‘singer’, Bhagavad Gita gets the status of being the holiest and most sacred of all the songs of God. Therefore, What is its power? The lives of the lowly change, the world-disease afflicted gets healed, the morale of the depressed is uplifted. The results are as limitless as the Singer.

Mahatma Gandhi said, “When disappointment stares me in the face and all alone I see not one ray of light, I go back to the Bhagavad-Gita…I immediately begin to smile in the midst of overwhelming tragedies and my life has been full of external tragedies. If they have left no visible, no indelible scar on me, I owe it all to the teachings of Bhagavad-Gita.”

The Gita consists literally 18 chapters with 700 verses (shloka). It has been said that all the Upanishads are the cows, the Milker is Krishna, the cowherd boy, Arjuna is the calf, men of purified intellect are its drinkers and milk is the supreme nectar of the Gita.

We have cows of varying sizes and in different colours. But the milk yielded by them is the same. Most of us do not even know how to maintain the cows. Neither are we adept in the laborious art of milking the cows. But to drink milk everyone is eligible. So also Gita is accessible for everyone, while studying the Upanishads is not for common people. However Gita is not just any milk. This milk is nectar that flowed from the Gods. What is in it for the humanity? The magical power to heal the sick, comfort the lonely, guide the lost, uplift the fallen and bring peace to the troubled. The milk is gentle and pure enough for a baby, and at the same time, strong enough for a soldier.

The Gita as palm of hand

Let us see what was the scenario when the Gita was ‘sung’. Arjuna, the third son of Kunti, surveyed the battlefield of Kurukshetra. The armies of Pandavas and Kauravas are standing on the opposite sides. Seeing the vast army, suddenly the great warrior was overcome with despondency and he laid down his arms. He told Krishna that he would not fight. “I do not see any good in slaughtering my own people in battle. O Krishna! I desire neither victory, nor kingdom not even pleasures.” (I.31) Thus begins the Bhagavad Gita.

The teachings of the Gita were indeed applicable on a battlefield as in the end, we see in Mahabharata that Pandavas come out victorious. Can the Gita’s teachings be made applicable to our ‘inner battlefield’ also? Can we get a clear vision of our life, its pitfalls and its progress as a palm of hand? Through the story of Arjuna and the battle, we also derive lessons for our lives from Bhagavan Sri Krishna. The ‘real’ Kurukshetra is not to be sought somewhere outside rather ‘within’ us. Each of us is Arjuna, not knowing what is right and wrong, teared down with temptation, fallen with fear and feeling forsaken due to frustration. Our bodies are our chariots, being driven all too frequently by our senses as the horses. The mind, ego, desires, lust and greed are the evil Kauravas with whom we must do righteous battle, from whom we must not shy away in fear. If we give the reins of our lives to God (as Arjuna made Krishna his divine charioteer), we will surely be victorious.

Gita in the palm of hand...

The Gita as a ‘palm of hand’ clearly shows us not only the destination but also in clearest terms the varying paths to reach there. One is free to select any path that suits well. Or one can even combine one with another. Throughout the Divine Song, Bhagwan Sri Krishna explains how – through devotion (bhakti), through knowledge (jnaana), and through action (karma) – one can reach the ultimate destination of union (yoga) with God. For different temperaments He lays out different paths, all the while reminding us that true, earnest yearning and pure, surrendered love for God are the surest and simplest way to attain one with the Eternal.

You don’t need to be a great scholar or a learned philosopher to understand the lessons of the Gita. Nor does the Gita demands decades of exacting penance to earn God’s favour. Rather, Bhagwan Sri Krishna offers infinite and eternal comfort by His words, “He, who is full of faith and zeal and is the master of the senses attains knowledge. Having attained knowledge one immediately attains supreme peace.” (IV.39)

The Gita as the Guidepost

Is the Gita relevant to the West today is an oft-repeated question. We can unequivocally say that yes, it is to West as it was and has been to the East. Not only for Hindus it is relevant but also for people professing any other religion. It teaches Hindus how to be better Hindus; it also teaches Muslims to be better Muslims, Christians to be better Christians, and Jews to be better Jews. For, if something is really “truth,” it must be universal. Truth is not limited to a religious framework. If it is truth, it must pertain to all. Such is the profound truth of Bhagwan Shri Krishna’s words.

Sun and Ganga - courtesy: matthieu-aubry

The Bhagavad Gita is verily like Mother Ganga or the Sun; they do not discriminate. Mother Ganga does not bring water to only Hindus’ farms. The sun does not shine only on Christians’ gardens. Similarly, the Gita does not provide light and inspiration to only selected souls.

Aldous Huxley said, “The Gita is one of the clearest and most comprehensive summaries of the perennial Philosophy ever to have been made. Hence its enduring value, not only for Indians, but for all mankind.” Sometimes, it seems that the West actually needs this wisdom even more than people of the East. Why? It is often seen that the West seem to hold even more tenaciously to their agendas, their expectations and their desires. The message in much of the West is “If you work hard, you will succeed, you will become prosperous.” So, people don’t work for the sake of being God’s hands. They work to reap the benefits, and when the benefits don’t come or don’t come quickly enough, they are frustrated.

It is the Karma Yoga of the Gita is the best answer to the problems engulfing the humanity in the West. People everywhere need both the message and the comfort of the Gita. With the ongoing assault of senses leaving indelible scars in the human psyche, the Gita stands as the harbinger of peace and harmony; it comes as the remover of pain; it bestows light dispelling the darkness of ignorance.

The Gita as the Reflector

digital painting - Courtesy : Dr S Adhinarayanan, New Delhi

It is remarkable that how Gita shines as the reflector for a practical spiritual life. What we see in the life of Sri Ramakrishna reiterates this point. The Paramahamsa never cared about the relative merits of religions. Neither did he entered into intricate differences of systems of philosophy. Verily he followed the footsteps of Sri Krishna. The unquenchable thirst for God and undying love for God’s name were the hallmark in Ramakrishna’s life. By his prolonged and intense spiritual practices, Sri Ramakrishna’s unique life that was transformed from an ordinary temple priest to paragon of spiritual values can best be clarified under this Gita Reflector.

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25 comments

Aum Namo NarayanayaSwamiji
When I read Swamiji’s article, I was intrigued and fascinated by the history surrounding the Bhagavad Gita. The message is universal irrespective of religion, race, creed or caste.
Thank you Swamiji for inspiring our lives with such wisdom which has enhanced my knowledge of and passion for the Bhagavad Gita.
I look forward to seeing Swamiji on Sunday at the Vedanta Retreat. Shubharathri Swamiji.
PS: writing so late as I’m on holiday..,Sonal Sewrathan
Pietermaritzburg, SA

||Sri Ramakrishna sharanam||Dear beti Sonal
Thank you for your warm sentiments. It is really wonderful to note, even at this young age, your keen interest in Gita which is indisputably a Crown Jewel of the scriptures. Now that you are in your youthhood this is the best time for you to start with spiritual practices. Try and read one verse of the Gita everyday with sincerity, continue with your regular morning and evening sadhna and be assured that His Grace will shine brightly and of course mould you as a perfect bhakta.
Hope you are not only enjoying but also usefully spending your spare time in these holidays. Yes, I was indeed happy to see you and other youth as well from PMB at the Vedanta Retreat.Swami Vimokshananda

Adarneeya Maharajji,Saadar Pranaam.
As usual, a timely post signifying the importance of Festival and above all covering all the aspects of particular festival.Adarneeya Maharajji, please remove my email id “bchuriwala@msn.com” as the same has been hacked by someone and I am not able to access the same. Kindly send all the emails to “bchuriwala@gmail.com” in future.
I have one small request. Can I add this or any other email id to our group “Devotees of Holy Trio”, so that in future all the Devotees will get such extraordinary matter to read and know more and more.
Kindly send me the email id which I can add to our mailing list.Bharat
Mumbai, India

||Sri Ramakrishna sharanam||Dear Bharat
Thanks for your appreciative words! It is by His Grace that posting on the blog is done. With many programs scheduled across KwaZulu Natal, sometimes it is difficult to keep up the regularity. I was requested to take Gita Classes here that made me study more and think on the subject that Krishna speaks of. I consider that it is again His Grace that allowed me to study and teach.
I am sorry to hear that your msn id has been hacked. I have duly removed that id from the mailing list and added your gmail id.
I can send you a list of email ids of devotees for adding them to your group but you must first send them a request for their permission to add. If they permit then only you can add otherwise that will come under ‘spamming’ them.
May blessings of the Master be on you!Swami Vimokshananda

Revered Maharajji
Thanks that you have written so nicely on the Glory of Gita for us on the auspicious occasion of Gita Jayanti. When I was going through this message, I was thinking though all messages of Gita were given by Sri Krishna to Arjuna 5000 years back, when Arjuna became weak and didn’t want to fight in the battle field. But who will give us inspiration in this modern age like Lord Krishna? So, again for us, Lord Krishna has come in another form and he is our Swami Vivekananda who has given us inspiration “ARISE! AWAKE! AND STOP NOT STILL THE GOAL IS REACHED.”Pronam,MADHUMITA GHOSE (TYPHOON)
Kolkata, India

||Sri Ramakrishna sharanam||Dear Typhoon
The Gita is a universal Gospel and most comprhensive. The Lord speaks as a benefactor to humanity, guiding us towards spiritual evolution and fulfilment. In the modern age yes, as you said, that Swami Vivekananda is a rouser of depressed souls. I have come across many, many people who were at loggerheads with their challenges in Life and did not know where to turn to. And by God’s grace when they touched Swamiji’s teachings, they got strength, vigour and vitality to ‘face the brutes’.
May you understand the teachings of the Lord and be inspired everyday!Swami Vimokshananda

Respected Swamiji,
Please accept my pronam.
You have given a fascinating explanation of the eternal truth in Gita and its universal application! I always look forward to learning from your wonderfully lucid writings.
With respect at the lotus feet of Sri Sri Thakur and Sri Sri Maa,Debanjan Roy
Kolkata, India

||Sri Ramakrishna sharanam||Dear Debanjan
Welcome to this blog! Thanks for your nice words! Yes, Gita’s teachings are eternal and verily universal. Thats why it is all the more necessary to take these ideas to all kinds of people. This is a great saving scripture.
May our Holy Trio be the Guide to you!Swami Vimokshananda

Respected Swamiji,
Thank you so much for replying to me.
I find your words wonderfully uplifting and it is my privilege to receive your grace through these pearls of wisdom. I pray for your continued good health and spirits.
And as we approach Holy Mother’s sacred Janma-tithi on 27th December, May She bless us all.
With Pronam at the Lotus Feet of the Holy Trio,Shri Ramakrishnaya Namah,Debanjan
Kolkata, India

||Sri Ramakrishna sharanam||Dear Debanjan
To acquire a human birth (manushyatwam), the desire to know God (mumukshatwam) and to be in the company of a realised soul (mahaapurusha samshrayaha) are the 3 rare blessings from the Lord. So we should all try to strive for perfection. Be eager to realise the Truth and gain freedom. The Atman is in us and through the Grace of a Guru we are able to recognise it.
Yes, we are all here eagerly awaiting the 158th birthday of Holy Mother. Our Public Function is already over though on the tithi-puja day we are having japa yajnya from 8 am to 5 pm on relay basis by the devotees. Of course we are having a special Puja in the morning and evening sandhyaarati too. May Holy Mother be with you is my prayer!Swami Vimokshananda

Salutations and adorations at the feet of Master, Holy Mother, Swamiji and revered Maharaj!Aum Namo NarayanayaDearest Maharaj
I cannot but agree with the concept of the truth being universal.
Everybody speaks of Newton’s law of gravity. Everybody sees the apple fall. He didn’t invent gravity he just theorised what he saw in his understanding. This universal truth of vedanta will be eternal and all pervading.
It is then those like Newton who concentrate on this truth can receive a deeper understanding and internalise it for their own spiritual development.
We are eternally grateful to Bhagavan Shree Krishna for distilling this knowledge to us who are submerged in the murky waters of maya.
With love and prayersYogan
Tongaat, SA

||Sri Ramakrishna sharanam||Dear Yogan
Just in case any one doubts how the Gita can be Universal, ask that person to go through the thoughts of great men and women all over the world.
I do not know whether you have come across a film on Christopher Isherwood’s reading of Swamiji’s lectures on the Gita. This historic footage, filmed live on August 17, 1975, was recently discovered at Vedanta Archives. The lectures, Gita II and Gita III, were originally delivered to a Western audience by Swami Vivekananda in San Francisco on May 28 and 29, 1900.
The lectures are at once down-to-earth and inspiring. The plainspoken, rational style makes the seemingly exotic topic of the Bhagavad Gita readily accessible to all. The text is found in “The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda” Volume I.Swami Vimokshananda

Om Namo Bhagvate Sivanandaya!Beloved Pujiya Swamiji,
What an enlightening discourse, all due to Swamiji and Gurudev’s grace. Swamiji continuously strives to bring such endearing and priceless knowledge to us. Yet we have the books and don’t heed their teachings! Our Sananthan Hindu Dharma is filled with such gems and yet we strive to the western way of life!
May we all take advantage of these precious opportunities and extol the teachings that have passed the test of time. I pray Swamiji that we weave these verses into our day to day lives, and live in peace and harmony.
How Gandhiji used them in such difficult instances to gain guidance and inspiration, may we do the same.Prem & OmAshina Lalparsad
Estcourt, SA

||Sri Ramakrishna sharanam||Dear beti Ashina
I am happy that you enjoyed reading this post. It would be extremely beneficial to read the Gita regularly just as you are reading the wonderful Ramayan with so much interest. Even if you are resting physically, occupy yourself in healthy reading and contemplating on what you read.
This will give you tremendous push in doing all works as karmayoga and make you dedicate everything at His Holy feet as bhaktiyoga.
May Gurudeva’s eternal guidance be with you all!Swami Vimokshananda

Revered MaharajPranam!
What a beautiful article reinforcing the universal symphony that is the Bhagwad Gita!
Because of Revered Maharaj’s inspiration and the grace of the Lord, one has started to re-read the Gita and although it is embarassing to say that one did not expect any succour from this immortal scripture, yet to one’s surprise and relief, the Holy Gita provided strength and courage in this great dharmaksetra and kurukshetra that is life.
Thank you very much Revered Maharaj for this wonderfully lucid essay which indicates at once the immense depth and breadth of this scripture! As Swamiji used to say when indicating the splendour of the Gita: “Shiva says ‘Only I know the meaning of the Gita and Shuka knows, Vyasa too knows a little.’
And it brings to mind Venerable Swami Premananda’s chiding anyone who said that he had read the Gita with “my boy! no one can ever have read the Gita. Always say ‘I am reading the Gita’….”
Warm Regards!PranamSkendha
New Delhi, India

||Sri Ramakrishna sharanam||Dear Skendha
Thank you Skendha for your interesting comment!
Sri Krishna is the embodiment of His own teachings! Swami Vivekananda said “The glory of Sri Krishna is that He has been the best preacher of our eternal religion and the best commentator on the Vedanta that ever lived in India.”
Sri Krishna Himself says “In Me they are all strung like pearls upon a thread.”Swami Vimokshananda

Om Namo Narayanaya!Dear Maharaj.
I have really enjoyed reading this post on Gita jayanti and the Bhagavad Gita. Indeed Hindus (especially) have to take advantage of the wealth of knowledge, guidance and solace we receive from the Bhagavad Gita. Regret many Hindus in this modern age (including myself) tend to neglect the study of our scriptures and often forget its sanctity as well.
Once again, under the Guidance of our Revered Gurus at the Ramakrishna Centre and Sri Sarada Devi Ashram, the Bhagavad Gita has been made so accessible by discussion classes, talks and Hindu studies… and thus i have found that I have actually read the Bhagavad Gita from cover to cover – whereas I would never have done so thinking that it was too complex.
My journey of learning about my religion and my spirituality has fallen into place so easily with the Bhagavad Gita and I am now confident to call myself a Hindu…
By the grace of Sri Krishna, let us all grab onto His pearls of wisdom with both our hands and never let go!
Jai Sri Ramakrishna!
with my humble pranam at your feet,Niriksha
Durban, SA

||Sri Ramakrishna sharanam||Dear Niriksha
I am indeed happy to know that you are reading the Gita. It should not be read as a story book where after reading it you just close and put apart, many a time never to be touched again! No. Gita is a book that should be handled with faith and fervour, to be read daily – at least a few verses everyday and above all to keep some time to think over the principles and put them into practice. Know well that by His grace alone, you will be able to grasp His teachings and instructions that are meant for all humanity.
Be rest assured that purer the mind, the clearer the reflection of God.Swami Vimokshananda

Most Revered Swamiji MaharajOm Namo Narayanaya!
My salutations and prostrations at the Feet of Sri Ramakrishna, Swami Vivekananda and Mother Sarada Devi. I also offer my prostrations at the Feet of Swamiji Maharaj and Swami Saradaprabhanandaji Maharaj.
Often my Bhagavad Gita lies around the house neglected! How I berate myself for this. Yet I place copies at strategic places to encourage myself to read regularly. However, today I was forced to pick it up in search of some information. So gracious is the merciful Lord. that even when ignored by some erstwhile “devotee”, He reaches out in gentle reminder of His existence.
I am also guilty of not responding in writing to Maharaj’s blog posts. Nonetheless, I still undertake my regular “pilgrimage” here. It is so heartening to see the kind of Bhakti that Maharaj is able to inspire among people from far flung places around the globe!
I pray for Maharaj’s continued protection and grace.Hari Om Tat Sat.Nirmala
Ladysmith, SA

||Sri Ramakrishna sharanam||Dear Nirmala
Happy to receive your comment, Yes…indeed after a long time! I didn’t see you at Ladysmith satsangs too! I thought you had gone on “real pilgrimage” instead of this ‘virtual’ pilgrimage!
i am sure many are inostensibly keeping the Gita and other scriptures in their homes in safe and secure way by folding the books in red cloths but alas! not having the time to read and think about the wise teachings. It is good that you have become willy-nilly a regular reader of the Gita now. As Master says whether you get into the pool or you are thrown into it, anyway you start swimming!
Thanks for reading and appreciating the posts. Anyone practising a few teachings of the Gita will be a better human being every succeeding day. One will discover an unending source of inspiration in one’s lifetime and one will grow in strength and divine wisdom. May Lord Krishna who is anataryami (indweller) guide you!Swami Vimokshananda

Pranam on your holy feet Maharaj!
It is indeed intriguing to learn about the eternal sanctity of the Bhagavad Gita as explained so lucidly by you. Proves once again that even with all the material readily available for us to read through, it is essential to have a mentor or a guru to throw light and lead the way so that the valuable treasure is interpreted in its correct perspective. A sense of direction is so vital for us, and I cannot thank you enough for providing that guidance time and again, thus making our task so much simpler.
Now the onus is on us on how we utilize this guidance as an individual.Pranam once again and hope and pray to the Holy Trio to bless everyone with peace of mind, contentment and happiness in this new year.
Regards,Rupali Rakshit
Dubai, UAE

||Sri Ramakrishna sharanam||Dear Rupali
Yes, you have rightly said that ‘a sense of direction is so vital’ for all of us. It is a pity that even after obtaining proper ‘directions’ we, due to our lethargy, are unable to follow and put them in practice. Unless we ourselves see some ‘practicing’ those virtues, it is impossible for us to proceed; hence the need for Incarnations. Their lives are beacon lights for us who grope in the darkness. Krishna’s teachings as contained in the Gita is a treasure trove. It has invaluable diamonds. Let us pick up what suits us most!
May Lord Krishna who is anataryami (indweller) guide you!Swami Vimokshananda

Revered MaharajjiPranam
I have read your post on Gita.
We must read Gita daily for spiritual progress. I am transcribing Gita in Braille system.
In the Bhagavad Gita 3.37 the Lord says: Guna gunesu vartanta iti matva no sajjate. The gunas in our body and mind are dwelling on the gunas that are the objects of the mind and the senses: we are nowhere in it. We cultivate that attitude and must say “Not I.Thou art the doer of everything, not I” And in this way we may get rid of egotism.PranamKetaki Gupta
Kolkata, India

||Sri Ramakrishna sharanam||Dear Ketaki
Happy to know the progress that you are making in the transcription of our great scriptures into the Braille system. Earlier you have successfully completed transcription of Swamiji’s works, which was not an easy job. How much labour and time is required! But everything is His work.
After seeing the wonderful work that you are doing, I was amazed how you have been inspired by Sri Thakur. May Swamiji bless you and all the girls that have been brought up so wonderfully by you! They may be blind but through you, making you His fit instrument, Sri Thakur has given these poor girls a vision for life. How beautiful their craft works which people with eyes appreciate though they were all made by those who have no eyes.
Further, is the Braille language can be adopted for the Africans also? I don’t have much idea but I hope you will clarify whether the project you are doing can be used among the visually disadvantaged people here. Is it any language oriented? Or does it have any limitation?
How is Revered Shivamayanandaji Maharaj? Please convey my respectful pranams to him.
May Master guide you ever is my prayer!Swami Vimokshananda

Saashtaango pronaamSwamiji !
I am from Kolkata but for work I stay in Nagpur. 11 years before I lost my mother when I was only 16. I came to know that my father is suffering from cancer since 1984 now his age is 82. I am a person who strongly is seeking divine worship, but, somehow I am in dilemma and can’t decide “what is the purpose of life?”. Doing meditation? or do serve human beings?
In childhood days I was strongly attracted to God’s name and form and most of the time I played with the images, one day I devotedly offered fish as prosad.
Very seriously I want to know from you what should I do? My father’s last wish is that I get married as soon as possible but I want to take sannyas after his death. What should i do?
……………(name withheld)
Nagpur, India